Sculpture by Andrew Diacono

Five Maltese artists showcased their works at the Miami Art Basel Week, which was held between November 30 and December 5. The artists – Paul Scerri, Andrew Diacono, Victor Agius, George Muscat and Gabriel Caruana – are represented by Marie Gallery5, led by gallerist and art-dealer Maria Galea.

The artists’ works were shown alongside those of top international artists. Galea explained how it’s not just an honour, but also a need to have Maltese artists among the world’s most renowned artists.

“Prestigious events like this help raise the provenance of the artists’ work and careers. Making Maltese talent visible to an international audience will not just create an opportunity for them to grow artistically, but also make Maltese contemporary art part of the international art market.”

This is the second time Galea has represented Maltese artists in the US. After her first exhibit last April in New York, she has strived to create an array of opportunities for local artists abroad, making the internationalisation of Maltese artists her day-to-day mission.

This particular exhibit took place at the new gallery Red Dot Miami, situated in the Miami Arts and Design District. The area has, through the years, exploded into a well-known destination that attracts some of the top artists in the world and many well-known celebrities were to be found strolling in Miami during festival week.

Making Maltese talent visible to an international audience will not just create an opportunity for them to grow artistically, but also make Maltese contemporary art part of the international art market

“Art fairs today offer the exhilaration of the marketplace, the thrill of celebrity-spotting and the quality of museums. Above all, they serve as a platform for galleries, leaving the limited national market and to open up new markets.

The internationalisation of the business practices in art through these fairs can directly help artists be well presented and marketed in the foreign markets. The influence of the art fairs extends far beyond from a gallery business atmosphere, they have made art more reachable for everyone and also made an important contribution to the popularisation of contemporary art,” Galea said.

Through Marie Gallery5, Galea strives to continue creating her vision into reality and giving these renowned contemporary Maltese artists a chance to grow further, thus raising demand and value of their work.

Right: Paul Scerri